Transcript Rainwater Harvesting Janie Harris Extension Specialist Housing and Home Environment Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

Rainwater Harvesting
Janie Harris
Extension Specialist
Housing and Home Environment
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Efficient Water Use is Critical
• Limited water supply
• Growing population
• Rainwater catchment is a source of
water
• Water will not always be inexpensive
Why Collect Rainwater?
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Increased Demand for a Decreasing Supply
Rising Environmental & Economic Costs
Rainwater’s Purity
Conservation – Saving Your Water!
Reduce Runoff – Crucial in Cities
Droughts have Increased Need & Awareness
Water for Areas w/o Groundwater or Service
Cisterns - The only source of water for many before
electricity and well drillers
Increased Impervious Area
from pavement & roofs
Value of Rainwater
Low pH 6.0 to 7.0
High quality water
Free
Rainwater Uses
P Attract and provide water for
wildlife, pets, birds and butterflies
P Landscape irrigation, house plants
P In home use – laundry, bath/shower,
drinking, cleaning, etc.
How to Catch Rainwater
* Roof – Sloped Tin is best but any
will work
* .6 gallons per square foot roof
* 2,000 sq. foot roof X 1" rain = 1,200
gal. water
* 1,200 gal. X 20" rainfall per year=
24,000 gal/yr.
* 12” rain yields 14,400 gals./yr.
* 6” rain yields 7,200 gals./yr.
Gutters and Roof Washers
P Gutters - Nothing special
P Roof washers - removes trash, debris &
dust
Screens to Keep Out Trash & Mosquitoes
Cisterns or Tanks for Storage of Water
P Durable and water tight – material
P Opaque
P Size – depends on how much you will
collect and need and where the water will
be used
P Cost - $ .30 - 1.25 per gallon collected
Small Rain Barrels
Simple Rain Barrel w/Gutter
Selection – Size, Color, Shape
The Other Parts
P Gate valve and facets
Water Gauge
The clear plastic hose
allows water to rise to the
level the water is inside the
tank
Overflow Pipe
Overflow
allows water
to run out of
tank when
full rather
than
backing up
into the
gutter of this
Rain Barn
Pump and Pressure Tank
Filters and Sanitizers – Drinking H2O
Distribute Water to Desired Location
P Drip irrigation – Landscape or Garden
P Water garden in ground
P Wildlife and pet water
P Sprinklers, misters & watering with pressure
P In home uses
Water Features in Landscape
Rainwater can be used in a water
feature with floats that keep the water
level high enough to run reciprocating
pumps.
Rainwater Harvesting
• Rainwater harvesting captures, diverts and
stores rainwater for later use.
• Easiest use is for landscaping irrigation
• Can be used for household use with proper
treatment.
• Rainwater is good for plants because it is
free of salts and other minerals
Rainwater Harvesting
• Reduces the demand for chlorinated
or other chemically treated tap water
therefore you buy less water
• Reduces the amount of water that will
go into storm sewers where it is mixed
with oil and other toxic residues from
streets, parking lots etc.
Resources
• Rainwater Harvesting – B-6153 Texas
AgriLife Extension Service, TAMUS
http://agrilifebookstore.org/publications_details.cfm?
whichpublication=1979
$4.50
• Texas Guide to Rainwater Harvesting,
Texas Water Development Board
http://www.twdb.state.tx.us/assistance/conservation/Alternativ
e_Technologies/Rainwater_Harvesting/Rain.asp
Special Thanks to:
Billy Kniffen
CEA-AG
Menard, Texas 76859
325-393-2120
e-mail:
[email protected]